Start at the start. When we checked in to our hotel in Pamplona yesterday only Judy's bike had arrived. My bike was nowhere to be found. After hours of searching, the bike (box) was located, still at the Pamplona airport. First thing in the morning, I hopped into a taxi to the courier company's office at the airport and after a few translation challenges, the bike box was found, the bike was assembled and I was in the saddle for the ride back to the city.
Our normal early morning start ended up as a new normal or temporarily normal 12 noon start!
There is a special place in heaven for Spanish farmers. How they manage to grow fruits & vegetables between the rocks must be close to a miracle. In Spain, I think that they actually must cultivate rocks, 'cause they are everywhere!
While today's ride was 50km from Pamplona to Estrella, we must have passed & been passed by the same pilgrims 5 ... 6 ... 7 ... times. We would pass them on the flats or downhills, they would pass us on the climbs or uphills. We climbed just under 1000 meters, all of which was in amongst fields of rock!
We did manage to find our angels today. You might remember our story of angels in Budapest (if not, that's ok too). Today our angels were a Cuban, a Canadian and an Italian who helped us bring our bikes & gear up a steep, washed out rock face. Then, they disappeared on us ... curious.
When all you have is a package of Mentos and your starving, well ... I guess that you go for the mints :-)
We arrived in Estrella with no room reservations. (Note to self: Mistake not to be repeated). Lots of phone calls resulted in a beautiful room at a nice hotel a short distance from the city centre.
In only one day, it's becoming obvious why people travel the Camino. It's about life, about being who you are, about living. Today we witnessed pilgrims who are searching for a miracle. Far be it from us to judge them. Their life challenges, dare us to see them differently. It is inspiring!
... talk soon
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